The Nearby Pokémon feature is being expanded to more locations. Trainers in most regions of the world, who can access Pokémon GO from the App Store or Google Play, can now test this new feature. To provide a better experience when searching for Pokémon in the real world, we have also made some changes to the way the Nearby Pokémon feature functions when there are only a few PokéStops in range. We will continue to review the feedback submitted on our official social media accounts and in other channels and make changes if necessary."

Pokémon GO is in the process of updating to Version 0.49.1 for Android and 1.19.1 for iOS devices. Also stay tuned for some important information on December 12th, trainers — new Pokémon will be coming to the game soon!

"• This competition uses Single Battle format.• Players may use Ash-Greninja and Pokémon with Alola Pokédex numbers 1–204, 206–288, and 293–299; players are allowed to include one special Pokémon in their Battle Team.• Register three to six of your Lv. 1–100 Pokémon to your Battle Team.• All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match.• Three of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match.• A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome has not been determined when the time limit expires, the game will automatically apply tiebreakers to determine a winner.• At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select three Pokémon with which to battle.• At the beginning of each turn, players have 60 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player.• Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC."

Will you be participating in this online competition? Do you know which Pokémon you'll use yet?

Following the release in North America (click here), the QR event for the Mythical Pokémon Magearna is now available in Europe and Australia! The code will be available indefinitely, so don't worry about missing it.

Will you be using Magearna competitively? Which nature will you be resetting for?

We'd love to hear your thoughts!

How to get Magearna on your copy of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon:

✧ You must complete the main story and become the champion✧ On your lower screen in-game, select the QR Scanner on the second page✧ Scan the QR code provided below✧ Go to Hau'oli City's Shopping District and enter the mall✧ Go upstairs, and when you reach the shop 'Antiquities of the Ages,' a man in an orange and blue shirt will give you Magearna

Three new stages — plus a competitive stage — have begun on Pokémon Shuffle and Pokémon Shuffle Mobile.

Tyrantrum — Special Challenge(Water-, Grass-, and Ground-type Pokémon are recommended)

Tyrantrum, a Pokémon that can usually only be met late in the main stages, has appeared for a limited time! Strengthening this Pokémon to take on Mega Abomasnow may be greatly beneficial. Tyrantrum will be taking its leave on December 13th.

Once captured, it may drop a Tyrantrum Skill Booster or a Raise Max Level upon defeat.

Emboar — Great Challenge(Ground- and Water-type Pokémon are recommended)

Another starter has entered the fray this week: Emboar! The Mega Fire Pig Pokémon will only be around until December 20th, so capture it while you can!

Once captured, Emboar may drop an Emboar Skill Booster upon defeat.

Infernape — Great Challenge(Aurorus and Suicune are recommended)

Following the Fire-type starter trend, Infernape has appeared and will be monkeying about until December 20th. If you find that defeating this Pokémon is difficult, try bringing along an Attack Power!

Once captured, Infernape may drop an Infernape Skill Booster upon defeat.

Mega Abomasnow's raging storm is upon us, trainers! This competitive stage will last until December 13th and will be in the limited-move format. Try to get as many points as you can in 18 turns by making a move within four seconds of your last.

Your score determines the prize(s) you receive. Refer to the table down below for prizes based on region. Note that if you already have an Abomasite, you will receive a Level Up instead.

Europe

Place

Prize

1 to 500

Abomasite, 3 Mega Speedup, 3 Raise Max Level

501 to 1,400

Abomasite, 2 Mega Speedup, 2 Raise Max Level

1,401 to 3,400

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Raise Max Level

3,401 to 6,800

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Skill Booster M

6,801 to 10,000

Abomasite, Exp Booster L, Disruption Delay

10,001 to 14,000

Abomasite and Disruption Delay

14,001 to 18,000

Attack Power and Disruption Delay

18,001 and below

Disruption Delay

North America

Place

Prize

1 to 600

Abomasite, 3 Mega Speedup, 3 Raise Max Level

601 to 1,800

Abomasite, 2 Mega Speedup, 2 Raise Max Level

1,801 to 4,500

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Raise Max Level

4,501 to 9,000

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Skill Booster M

9,001 to 14,000

Abomasite, Exp Booster L, Disruption Delay

14,001 to 18,000

Abomasite and Disruption Delay

18,001 to 24,000

Attack Power and Disruption Delay

24,001 and below

Disruption Delay

Japan

Place

Prize

1 to 2,000

Abomasite, 3 Mega Speedup, 3 Raise Max Level

2,001 to 6,000

Abomasite, 2 Mega Speedup, 2 Raise Max Level

6,001 to 15,000

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Raise Max Level

15,001 to 30,000

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Skill Booster M

30,001 to 45,000

Abomasite, Exp Booster L, Disruption Delay

45,001 to 60,000

Abomasite and Disruption Delay

60,001 to 80,000

Attack Power and Disruption Delay

80,001 and below

Disruption Delay

Worldwide (Pokémon Shuffle Mobile Only)

Place

Prize

1 to 3,000

Abomasite, 3 Mega Speedup, 3 Raise Max Level

3,001 to 10,000

Abomasite, 2 Mega Speedup, 2 Raise Max Level

10,001 to 30,000

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Raise Max Level

30,001 to 60,000

Abomasite, Mega Speedup, Skill Booster M

60,001 to 90,000

Abomasite, Exp Booster L, Disruption Delay

90,001 to 120,000

Abomasite and Disruption Delay

120,001 to 160,000

Attack Power and Disruption Delay

160,001 and below

Attack Power

Have you managed to capture the two Fire-type starters? Will you take part in the competitive stage?

For those of you in North America, the QR event for the Mythical Pokémon Magearna is now available! The code will be available indefinitely.

Will you be resetting for a specific nature? Do you plan on giving it a nickname? Will you use Magearna competitively?

Feel free to leave a comment down below!

How to get Magearna on your copy of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon:

✧ You must complete the main story and become the champion✧ On your lower screen in-game, select the QR Scanner on the second page✧ Scan the QR code provided below✧ Go to Hau'oli City's Shopping District and enter the mall✧ Go upstairs, and when you reach the shop 'Antiquities of the Ages,' a man in an orange and blue shirt will give you Magearna

The Monthly Spriting Contest — an event in which users submit original sprites according to a theme to be judged by other users — has run since 2010. This will be its final month. In January, it will be replaced by a new contest: The Monthly Drawing Contest!

With that said, our final Monthly Spriting Contest will be accepting entries until December 21st. The final theme is 'time of day recolors'. Recolor any Pokémon so that it represents a certain time of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, night). Visit the official entry phase thread for more details.

Get creative and have fun! Join us in celebrating one final MSC, and the dawn of a new contest!